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Ecdysis is the process through which reptiles such as Leopard geckos shed off their old skin. It occurs naturally throughout the stages of development.
As a gecko parent, you must have noticed that your Leopard gecko sheds its skin from time. In some cases, however, the shed may fail to come off completely, and this may cause other complications.
Stuck shed, especially those around the tail and toes, can constrict blood flow to the affected areas.
Consequently, your Leopard gecko may lose its toes or tail if a corrective measure is not applied in good time.
The good news is that you can prevent this from happening by helping your Leopard gecko remove the stuck shed.
When it comes to removing stuck shed from Leopard geckos, there are several things that you should put into consideration.
Moreover, the goal is to be as gentle as possible to avoid causing injuries to your lizard friend.
One thing to keep in mind is that you should never peel off dry skin from the gecko’s body since this may damage the soft tissue underneath.
Fret not because this article is going to show you how you can remove stuck shed from a Leopard Geckos face and other parts of the body.
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Here are some of the best products to help a leopard gecko shed without issue:
What Causes The Shedding Problem In Leopard Geckos?
Most Leopard geckos in captivity are affected by dysecdysis, a term used to refer to the abnormal shedding of old skin by members of the reptilian family.
Dysecdysis in Leopard geckos can occur due to several reasons. Nonetheless, the common causes include:
Low Humidity
- Leopard geckos require a certain level of humidity to shed optimally. As such, if the environment inside the enclosure has low humidity, your gecko may have a hard time removing all the shed from its body.
- Gecko enthusiasts recommend that the humidity levels inside the vivarium should be kept anywhere between 30 and 40%. That way, your Leopard gecko will have an easier time shedding away the old skin.
- Additionally, you should always have a “cool” hide for your Leopard gecko. The cool hide should have a damp paper towel underneath. You should dampen the paper towel on a daily basis.
Suboptional Temperatures
- If the temperature conditions inside the enclosure are not right, parts of the old skin on your Leopard gecko may fail to come off.
- With that said, ensure that the gecko's vivarium has appropriate heating and lighting to prevent dysecdysis. A good thermostat is essential for keeping up with the heating of your leopard geckos enclosure.
Note: According to experts, the main cause of dysecdysis is inappropriate husbandry, meaning it all has to do with the type of care that your Leopard gecko is getting and the environment that it is in.
Solving the Shedding Problem-How to Remove Stuck Shed from a Leopard Geckos Face
Moreover, the whole process solely relies on rehydration, so all you need to do is to ensure that the stuck shed is nicely soaked before removing it.
Besides, the items needed are very easy to find, meaning you won’t have to worry about anything.
Before we get to the procedure, here is a list of items that you will need to safely remove stuck shed from your geckos face.
Requirements
1. Lukewarm water
2. Cotton swab
As you can see, you don’t need a lot of items to get the job done. Now to the procedure:
Procedure
- Lukewarm water is recommended because it will make your Leopard gecko feel more comfortable throughout the shed removal process.
Step 2: Carefully hold your Leopard gecko in your hand
- Ensure that you don’t apply too much pressure when handling your leopard gecko as this may cause injuries.
Step 3: Gently rub the wet cotton swab against the stuck shed
- This will soak the shed, allowing for easy and quick removal. You may have to rub multiple times, especially when dealing with stubborn shed. Again, keep it gentle to avoid hurting the lizard.
Step 4: Check if all the shed has been removed
- After rubbing the wet cotton swab on the stuck shed, check if the shed has come off completely. If not, repeat Steps 1 and 3 until all the shed is gently peeled off. Additionally, you should consider wetting the cotton swab if you notice that it is getting dry.
Other Ways of Removing Stuck Shed From a Leopard Geckos Face
Use Shedding Products
Besides using lukewarm water and cotton swabs, you can use shedding products. They are both effective and safe for Leopard geckos.
However, you should only go for products from reputable brands since they are more reliable. Zoo Med Laboratories is one of the brands that you can count on when it comes to shed removal.
The Repti Shedding Aid MD31 is one of the highly-rated shedding products on Amazon and is a favorite among reptile keepers.
Use a Homemade Sauna
This may sound complicated, but it is very easy. All you need is a container that is large enough for your Leopard gecko, a soft kitchen towel, lukewarm water, and a heating pad.
Start by soaking the kitchen towel in lukewarm water. After that, place it inside the container and put your Leopard gecko atop the wet towel.
It is advisable to use a container with a lid to keep the heat from escaping. Nonetheless, the lid should have several holes through which the gecko can breathe.
I personally use this container as it contains vents that allow your leopard gecko to breathe:
Next, place the container on top of the heating pad to generate steam from the wet kitchen towel.
Do this for 20-30 minutes and allow the skin to soften. Once the shed has been rehydrated, you can remove it using a cotton swab.
Final Thoughts
Stuck shed can cause discomfort to Leopard geckos and may also result in other health problems.
You can prevent the shedding problem by providing your pet with the right conditions. This applies to humidity and temperature, so ensure that the enclosure is properly maintained.
By using the procedures above, you can safely remove stuck shed without hurting your Leopard gecko.